Late goals earn Al-Ahli opening victory in Asian Champions League

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Defending champions Al-Ahli fought back from two goals down to secure a 4-2 win over Uzbekistans Nasaf in the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Monday thanks to stoppage-time goals from Riyad Mahrez and Mohammed Sulaiman for the Saudi side.

Husain Norchaev scored twice to give Nasaf a two-goal lead at halftime but Al-Ahlis recent signing Enzo Millot struck twice in three second-half minutes to pull Matthias Jaissles side level.

The Frenchman punished a mistake by goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov in the 65th minute to slot into an empty goal from distance and capitalised on hesitant defending to quickly score again.

Mahrez slotted home four minutes into added time and Sulaiman scored from close range 11 minutes later with Nasaf down to 10 men following Alibek Davronovs late sending-off.

Everybody had to give 100% in the second half, we had to do more and attack the box to score goals and we did it, said Millot, who joined Al-Ahli from Stuttgart.

SAUDI PRO LEAGUE CHAMPIONS AL-ITTIHAD LOSE TO AL-WAHDA

The win earned Al-Ahli an opening three points in the western league phase, in which the 12 teams play eight matches and the top eight finishers will advance to Marchs knockout rounds.

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad slipped to a 2-1 defeat by Al-Wahda from the United Arab Emirates with defender Lucas Pimenta scoring the winner deep into added time.

Steven Berwijn had given Laurent Blancs side the lead with a powerfully hit swerving strike from distance in the 21st minute but Muhannad Al-Shanqitis sending-off for a reckless challenge on Facundo Kruspzky changed the game.

Caio Canedo levelled from close range in the 62nd minute and, deep into added